an upgrade at the days inn edmonton (and giving second life to dying towels)

a random post while on the road. everytime i make a trip out to calgary longer than a weekend, i tend to spend a day or two in edmonton. it breaks up the long stretch of days without people to see during the day and i get to see a few friends up here as well.

i try to stay in the downtown region because it's close to my friends, a short walk down to the bar/restaurant scene (whyte ave, akin to calgary's 17th avenue), and because it's a reasonably safe place to be.

the last time i went up there, i posted about where i was thinking about staying, and ended up opting for the days inn via hotels.com. there's a starwood property in the heart of downtown, but at $200 + $26 parking a night + tax, i felt the better deal was just to stay at the days inn again for roughly $111 + tax. no points or anything other than a hotelrewards credit valued at 10% off.

i don't have high expectations for the days inn chain. i just know that they're usually clean, basic, and comfortable enough. and given the price of the hotels around the area, i was happy. i was even happier with the free parking as well. so when i checked in, i was surprised to have gotten an upgrade. and such events always require pictures:

regular bed. firm but comfortable.

a kitchenette with fridge and microwave -- not something that comes standard here

a semi enclosed work station. i didn't check if the couch was a pull-out for more people

the sink outside the bathroom -- it seems like the typical arrangement for the days inns that i've been in

a cute rag is included in the room -- a cut up cloth that is now branded as the cloth that can do anything. i think of blanky from the brave little toaster

 

 

 

 

i've decided that i'm going to push for spg platinum this year. so intsead of spending two nights at the convenient days inn, i'm going to venture east of the happening part of whyte avenue to stay at the four points edmonton south for another stay credit tonight.

"i have no idea where that is," my friend tells me last night as we walk along whyte avenue, between dinner at da-de-o's and drinks at oxygen. his arms are spread wide for emphasis: "it's far from here. it's like the badlands! i don't even know if there's anything out there there!" with that in mind, i'm looking forward to being pleasantly surprised.